Light. Fruits best in full sun but also grows in heavy or filtered shade.
Water. Water while it establishes. After that it is drought tolerant and also handles wet soil.
Soil and feeding. It prefers rich, well-drained soil but grows in poor, sandy soil too. It adapts to acidic or slightly alkaline soil.
Size. Grows to about 5 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide; some plants reach 8 ft.
Pruning. Flowers and berries form on new growth. Cut back old wood hard between late fall and late winter for more fruit next year.
Problems to watch. No pests or diseases of major concern.
Good to know. A Florida native. Birds and small mammals eat the berries, and it is a host plant for the spring azure butterfly. It is not salt tolerant, so avoid coastal sites.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS FPS90: Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Beautyberry
